Guess RS crowd doesn't rate

[daveinva]

You know, I thought about it overnight and what I've now concluded is that if *I* were in charge at BRP, I would do pretty much what they're doing.

1. Add the ST to reflect how many people ended up modding their RS vehicles, i.e. skip the middleman and get everything "factory."

2. Invest to make the RT what everyone wanted in the first place: a luxury tourer with plenty of torque, power and range. Given how popular the RT is-- and, we can assume, the profit margin on the model-- this makes the most sense for BRP.

3. As for the RS... while I personally have pooh-poohed talk about a "stripper model" in the past, after last night, I'm beginning to think that's where BRP should, and perhaps is likely, to go with the RS.

Notice first that the prices for the 2014 RS models actually went *down* compared to previous years. Perhaps it's just BRP realizing the RS doesn't sell as well as they used to, or perhaps it's BRP recognizing that the more differentiation between the RS, the ST and the RT, the better each can sell.

Still, let's be honest, the RS is still a VERY expensive bike, so if there's a way for BRP to create even more "feature separation" between the RS and the other models, BRP will likely pursue that. The biggest way to achieve that separation is in price-- make the RS cheaper, and you score a better "gateway drug" for future Spyderlovers.

That said, one thing I think might be in store for the RS *isn't* a bigger engine with more range. Instead, I think we might finally see the single biggest way to differentiate the RS from the ST & RT: a leaner. The RS would be a perfect testbed for a leaning Spyder, and you'd be able to give your market a strong choice: sport touring in the ST, luxury touring in the RT, and OHMYGODISTHISCRAZYSTUPIDFUN in a leaning RS.


I know what *I* am voting for. :thumbup:

 

[Flanker]

So........................I take it I'm not the only one disappointed with the '14 RSS? Hey! It's got a restyled rear fender.....................now there's something likely to induce unintended bladder incidents! :joke: Or; maybe not.
As disappointed as I am.....................it's easy to see (business wise) why they went the RT/ST upgrade route. It makes up the bulk of their sales, and is the most over weight and thereby underpowered with the 998 V twin.

Having said that..................a 118 HP 1330 triple can only be described as underpowered for its size. I forget what they said the torque was up to; I'm sure it'll be appreciated by the touring crowd though.

Flanker's 2015 RSS: 200+ RWHP transversely mounted inline four (can anyone say NEW FRAME?), 6spd tranny/chain drive, 16" wheels/appropriately sized brakes/calipers, defeatable traction control, VSS, and ABS, 125 lbs less blubber.

Can't say as I expect to see it though. There are a bunch of really good reasons to keep the engine design/production in house...................and in fairness; the Rotax units are good engines. I'd still like to see BRP go outside the box with spec motors from Kawasaki or Suzuki (the likeliest engine suppliers featuring the least amount of additional development for a FrankenSpyder). The ZX14 motor is a very attractive motor candidate with its computerized power mode system, and must be pushing 190-200 HP in current form. Bump it to 1450-1500 ccs and you'd be well into my target HP area. My '07 ZX 14 has a pipe and dyno mapped PC III on it---the shop development mule dynoed at 185+ RWHP so 200 + would be easily achievable. How much market there'd be for that type of beast...................I'm not so sure. If the profit isn't there.......................then neither is the motive to produce the product.

Lamonster, thanks for the link to the turbo kit! Was unaware of them. :cus:! The other poster is right..................it is a FUGLY unit; with a capital F! Fit right in with the Madstad on my RSS! :joke:

Ron, your Mach III pic brought back some good (and BAD!) memories for me. I owned two '72 (first year of production) Mach IV 750s back in the day, at different times. Here's a pic of the first one (I was the first and third owner-------yes I bought it back) after a custom lacquer candy blue paint job, brake system rebuild, aftermarket shocks, fork rebuild, brass swing arm bushings (infintesimally reduced frame flex), and ported, polished, and piped (Dencos--loud enough to wake the dead!) motor:



The good: Many many great rides with my Buds!
The BAD: Pretty sure running it off of that curve and into that tree qualifies! :joke: Wadded it up pretty bad and I was darn lucky I didn't wad myself up any worse than I did! What a putz!!

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm also glad to see a triple coming back into my life...
My first street-legal bike was one of the little 250cc Kawasaki triples.
As smooth as a watch; and just as underpowered... :shocked:
But it set the hook that I've been unable to shake for all these years! :thumbup:

 

[spydaman60]

I got a simple answer for you that will cost lest than half of a new Spyder.
http://aerocharger.com/turbo-systems/motorcycles/spyder/

pretty cool. but you've got to have a deep pocket to buy it and then a deeper pocket to take care of all the problems with the bike when brp won't cover it under warrantee because of the turbo charger.:yikes:

 

[Bob Denman]

No worries Chuck; just wait until all of the warranees have expired... That way it's ALL on your dime if things turn pear-shaped on the bike! :shocked:

 

[Lamonster]

pretty cool. but you've got to have a deep pocket to buy it and then a deeper pocket to take care of all the problems with the bike when brp won't cover it under warrantee because of the turbo charger.:yikes:

I agree, when playing with hp you have to have deep pockets, been there done that. :shocked:

What I don't get is why the RS group seem to be so dissatisfied with what they have now. We all know it's a great ride the way it is and a great looking unit stock. Add the new side panels for better cooling and better looks and maybe throw on a set of the new wheels and maybe rear fender and you really got something that you can make your own. I loved my GS and maybe I should have sold it now that I think about it but it had plenty of power the way I had it and to this day it runs better than new with 50K on it. An for sure it's going to have a more impressive exhaust not than the triple.

Oh and I'm a cruiser guy to the core and none of the above fit that mold. It's the one missing link in the Spyder line and one I think would out sell all the Spyders to date. Go to a rally and and maybe 80% of what you see are cruisers. :doorag:

 

[jtpollock]

We are a minority but we are not orphans..through us a bone now and then...!! We RS ryders got nothing..colors don't count for nothing most of us have custom touches anyway. Different wheels were always available. But your right, it's the money and where they get it..ahh what the :cus: I love my RS and will ryde it till one of us dies...!! hyea:

:agree: I got the RS S because of its looks but mate it an St befor they came out thats what we do it's all about the mods ride till one of us dies...!! :2thumbs: :spyder2: JTPOLLOCK

 

[spydaman60]

I agree, when playing with hp you have to have deep pockets, been there done that. :shocked:

What I don't get is why the RS group seem to be so dissatisfied with what they have now. We all know it's a great ride the way it is and a great looking unit stock. Add the new side panels for better cooling and better looks and maybe throw on a set of the new wheels and maybe rear fender and you really got something that you can make your own. I loved my GS and maybe I should have sold it now that I think about it but it had plenty of power the way I had it and to this day it runs better than new with 50K on it. An for sure it's going to have a more impressive exhaust not than the triple.

Oh and I'm a cruiser guy to the core and none of the above fit that mold. It's the one missing link in the Spyder line and one I think would out sell all the Spyders to date. Go to a rally and and maybe 80% of what you see are cruisers. :doorag:

lamont, i don't think anyone, or at least i can speak for myself, said that they were disatisfied with the rs/rss line. it's just normal behavior to want something new, to get the juices flowing, to get you dreaming of what the next move will be to a newer version of what you have. obviously you want bigger, better, or you don't get to dream. i personnally don't want an rt. the wife and i like the looks of the rss and the ride of the rss, therefor for us to step up to an rt, it just isn't in our picture. to step up to a new rss with things on it that we don't already have on our machine, now that's another story. that's what dreaming is all about!!!:thumbup:

 

[Kratos]

RS guys (I was one), there is something down the pipe. It'll be next year. Just gotta be patient...

 

[Bob Denman]

K,
So you're crossing over to, "The Dark Side"?? :shocked:

Welcome to the PARTEEE! :yes::yes::yes: :2thumbs:

 

[billrob71]

I love my RSS but a faster more sport like ride I think is what were talking about toning down the VSS system so it can be riden like a sport bike, accelerating out of a turn and cracking the throttle and have nanny kick in when the computer think the bike is out of sorts. Maybe the dealer too tweak the system a little.

 

[otter28169]

I am not dissatisfied with my RS-S. I just hate to see the model ignored. And I agree with the price problem mentioned earlier. How Many sport bikes do you see on the street that cost $18,000. There may be a lot of RT's around, but I personally do not want one. If BRP wants to sell more of the RS models they need to make them appeal to the younger riders. That is a very large part of the market that the spyder does not currently appeal to. It is also the demographic that is going to be the future of the RT crowd What I am seeing here is an opening for another company to come in and find a niche in the market Can Am created.

Just sayin'............

 

[Derek Paisley]

Agreed. I certainly am satisfied with my RSS.
As others (including myself) have noted, focus (as of late) is not towards the RS/RSS lineup and improvement (based on RS/RSS rider feedback). It is based on revenue.

BRP's revenue (roadster) primarily comes from the touring demographic.

Of course those of you who ride or are looking to ride that model/s (Touring) are more than happy.

Why wouldn't you be? You're being looked after.

 

[Littlebadwolf]

I've spent over 3 years adding farkles to make my 09 GS the ride I want...It's never let me down, have everything possibly made regarding add-ons and it runs like a dream....Nothing about the 2014's excites me with the exception of the additional miles between fill ups...Maybe I'll transition to one of the ST's or RT's but it's not calling me at the moment...I love my ride....

 

[Derek Paisley]

I am not dissatisfied with my RS-S. I just hate to see the model ignored. And I agree with the price problem mentioned earlier. How Many sport bikes do you see on the street that cost $18,000. There may be a lot of RT's around, but I personally do not want one. If BRP wants to sell more of the RS models they need to make them appeal to the younger riders. That is a very large part of the market that the spyder does not currently appeal to. It is also the demographic that is going to be the future of the RT crowd What I am seeing here is an opening for another company to come in and find a niche in the market Can Am created.

Just sayin'............

Very well said.

The Can-am Spyder is becoming synonymous with "the Mature demographic".

Here's hoping the faith shown towards BRP R&D will come to fruition as it pertains to the RS/RSS.

 

[flaggerphil]

For sure it was needed in the RT. The RS is the sport version of the Spyder, most sportbikes are 600cc with some 1000cc and a few 1300cc. The RS already has the upper end size wise. There are no true touring bikes that are 998cc. Even 1300cc is on the small size.

Indeed.

My last two wheeler was a Yamaha V-Star 1300T...and lot of people considered it a "small" bike.

 

[flaggerphil]

I too think that the RS-S should have gotten the larger motor, Its the sportbike variant, it's supposed to be the most powerful, quickest bike in the lineup. I Can see why the RT with all its extra bloat needs the larger motor, but they should have just done an upgrade all across the board.

To me, it's pretty obvious why they went with the RT first. Who knows, an upgrade to the GS's and ST's could be coming up in the near future.

 

[flaggerphil]

WOW HOW UGLY CAN YOU GET, IT WOULD MAKE ANYTHING, MOTORCYCLE, CAR , BOAT, SPYDER ANYTHING WITH AN ENGINE LOOK TERRIBLE! IF IT DON'T HAVE THE LOOKS, WHO CARES IF IT COOKS!!! I HAVE A 2013 ST WITH THE K&N FILTER, POWER COMMANDER, SHOT GUNNER EXHAUST AND IT DYNOED AT 110 HP AND IT HAS THE LOOKS, I WILL GLADLY GIVE UP 30+ MORE HP THAN PUT THAT UGLY TURBO SYSTEM ON MY SPYDER. I HAVE A GRAND NATIONAL WITH STAGE 2 MOTOR AND BIG TURBO AND IT HAS CLASS AND LOOKS GOOD, PUTS OUT 747 REAR WHEEL HP. I GUESS IF POWER IS ALL YOU CARE ABOUT THEN BY ALL MEANS MAKE YOUR SPYDER UGLY.

Why are you yelling?

 

[Dan McNally]

Agreed. I certainly am satisfied with my RSS.
. . . Of course those of you who ride or are looking to ride that model/s (Touring) are more than happy. Why wouldn't you be? You're being looked after.

We are? Are they giving me a new 2014 RT to replace my 2013 RT? No one is being "looked after" more than anyone else who currently owns a Spyder. Folks in the market for a new Spyder RT are looking at close to $30,000 for the pleasure. How do you feel that "those of you who ride . . . that model . . . (Touring) are more than happy"? Your logic escapes me.

 

[Kratos]

K,
So you're crossing over to, "The Dark Side"?? :shocked:

Welcome to the PARTEEE! :yes::yes::yes: :2thumbs:

Been planning on it since I sold Knight. But I decided to wait on the 14's announcement just in case there was a change......and boy am I glad I waited. :clap: